She stands inside the garden’s blooming, still
As long green stalks that reach toward the sun.
Above her head the Arcosanti bell,
A gift brought to her by her lovely son,
Waits wind to stir its deep, pure voice to song.
Her graying hair shines in the early morning light:
A silent testament to births and how
Her son died in a place she did not understand
And how her daughters have a boundless grace
And how granddaughters gleam and grandsons spark,
One caught inside autism’s draining clinch—
A binding to the yellows, blues, and pinks
Of blooms she planted in the early spring
Then, whirring, one bold calliope bees
Up to the bright red feeder near her eyes
And slips its slender beak into the hole
Where nectar made inside her kitchen sink
Transmutes into an iridescent energy.
A moment more and clouds of hummingbirds
Kaleidoscope around her head; her eyes
And spirit swirled into a halo born
Of flowers, bell, the hummingbirds, the light
Of early morning, all the life she’s lived.
fourwindowspress 
this is very, very beautiful ) peace, beth
Beautiful!
WOW, this bowled me over–such a beautiful tribute to strength/endurance and LOVE. Wonderful. God bless y’all–love, Caddo
And just when I was beginning to think no one is writing in the way any more. Thank you, Tom.
This has lovely imagery, and a heartfelt sentiment. Great poem!
Beautiful. This is so full of love and admiration for an exceptionally strong and courageous spirit.
Love
Christine
wistful & evocative. Thank u for posting it.
Thomas, a lovely poem and beautiful tribute, I love this.
Oh, Thomas, what a sublimely beautiful poem – a classic and very personal reflection on your love for Ethel. Lovely!